1. Building a National Collaborative Network for Deaf-Blind Services
Sam Morgan
nationaldb.org
The contents of this presentation were developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education #H326T However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Teaching Research Institute, nor the US Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Project Officer, Jo Ann McCann.

2. Today’s Takeaways Why a network matters
Philosophical/theoretical underpinnings of network creation
Methods and actions

3. Why Build a Network? Increase and improve collaboration
US educational services to children who are DB depend on a national model of technical assistance
Funded by the US Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs
National project and state projects
Complexities of the population
Unique needs
Low incidence

4. Existing Complexities and Challenges
Systemic challenges
Differences in state and local systems, resources and expertise
Lack of systems to train qualified personnel
Lack of equity – fiscal and infrastructure – unequal service
TA has been level funded for 25 years

5. Network Building Blocks
OSEP directive - it makes sense
Broad push for collaborative work and stakeholder engagement
Increase efficiency and reduce duplication
Address equity
Improve TA services
Common history
Long term relationships and shared work
Need
Experience
TA focused on nationally identified needs that evolve with time and continued engagement – initiative based

6. It Takes Planning and Intention
Call change by it’s name
Recognize that change is difficult and takes time especially at a distance
Identify structures and beliefs
Make visible to the network and it’s recipients the elements that build common understanding
Working as a community
Describe the opportunities and structures that we use for shared work and collaboration

7. Change Model
Used to generate discussion on technical assistance and dissemination

8. National Vision Statement
Children and youth who are deaf-blind receive supports and services that allow them to experience full integration and participation in society including education, employment, community, and social relationships.
Our Mission is to provide families, professionals, and the community with:
Opportunities for shared leadership and collaboration
A national network of supports and services across the age range
Personnel who are qualified and knowledgeable
Systems with improved capacity

9. Visuals to Strengthen Identity
Network Logo

10. Network Benefits

11. Ways of Working Together
No one project can “do it all”.  We need each other to collaborate, narrow the focus and identify approaches that will more broadly address needs.
Levels of work

12. Working as a Community
Community of practice – viewing TA as collaborative endeavor
Peer to peer TA - examples of state implementation
Collaborative product development to meet common needs
Advisory structures - community members as advisors
State Portal - a technology platform that allows for dissemination and sharing
TA Guides - Identify and define effective TA practices with examples from state peers
Annual DB Summit
Progression from sharing of work to building shared work

13. What Does Progress Look Like?
Reported increase in frequency and intensity of collaboration – annual survey of SDBP’s
Outputs
Increase in shared activities across state projects
Increased engagement in shared work with NCDB
Outcomes
Increased reach
Increased capacity – Improved child outcomes
Co creation of tools and materials that support state TA
Future
Increased formative assessment
Social Network analysis